Track and Field Masters Athletics (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9783032286383)

Jörn Rittweger spent more than two decades advancing research in Masters track and field athletics. What began as a focus on bone and muscle physiology developed into a broad, integrative program addressing the full spectrum of scientific factors relevant to aging athletes. As a physician specializing in physiology, he worked at the interface of fundamental research and clinical application. His expertise informed strategies to safeguard astronaut health and performance in space, while also shaping rehabilitation approaches for patients on Earth. Dr. Rittweger's primary appointment was at the German Aerospace Center (DLR), where he led the Division of Muscle and Bone Metabolism within the Institute of Aerospace Medicine. He also held a secondary appointment as a full professor in the Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine at the University of Cologne. Over the course of his career, he authored more than 250 peer-reviewed scientific publications, held a patent, and was deeply committed to training the next generation of scientists and physicians in human physiology. Shortly after the World Masters Athletics Championships in Gainesville, Florida, in 2025, Dr. Rittweger passed away.

Hirofumi Tanaka has devoted his career to advancing the science of human cardiovascular aging and exercise physiology. His research program, built over several decades, has illuminated how habitual physical activity shapes vascular function, arterial health, and overall longevity across the adult lifespan. As a physiologist trained in both basic, applied, and community-based science, he worked at the interface of mechanistic research and real-world health promotion. His laboratory's findings have informed evidence-based strategies to preserve vascular function, reduce cardiovascular risk, and optimize physical performance in aging populations. His age-predicted formula for determining maximal heart rate is now known as the Tanaka Formula. Dr. Tanaka is a professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Education at the University of Texas at Austin, where he directed the renowned Cardiovascular Aging Research Laboratory. Under his leadership, the lab became a leading center for studying arterial stiffness, endothelial function, and the physiological benefits of lifelong exercise. He is consistently ranked among the world's most highly cited scientists in medicine and kinesiology. His ongoing commitment to rigorous research and to training the next generation of scholars continues to shape the field.